In a turn of events, Celtic winger, Daizen Maeda, has withdrawn from the Japanese national squad due to an injury, a setback not only for Japan but for the player.
Maeda was slated to depart for international duty on Sunday, but fate has anchored him in Scotland for the time being.
The Japan Football Association confirmed the player’s absence attributing it to an injury, although the details of the injury remain shrouded.
This news comes after Maeda’s sterling performance against Kilmarnock on Saturday, where he played a pivotal role in leading the bhoys to a triumphant 3-1 victory.
Interestingly, there were no visible signs of an injury during the game, stirring speculations that Maeda might have been nursing a minor knock unbeknownst to many.
His decision to stay back could very well be a precautionary measure to ensure he’s in prime form for Celtic’s upcoming fixtures.
The situation also reflects the meticulous management at Celtic, prioritising player’s health to ensure the squad remains robust for the challenges that lie ahead in both domestic and European competitions.
If it is precautionary then it’s indeed a prudent decision considering the tight schedule and high stakes that Celtic will be navigating through in the upcoming weeks.
Kyogo and Hatate will participate with Japan. It’s that time again where Celtic and the supporters sweat over the fitness of their international players!
